THIS WEEK

2023 Thanksgiving Offering | Report on pledges
    This year’s 2023 Thanksgiving Offering: Five and Two invites all of us to live out the story of Jesus taking five loves of bread and two fish to feed 5,000. Hear how Highmore UMC and Murdo UMC are living out the story in the first video report found here. Share your story with us by mailing your card to the Conference office, or filling out this form.

Shoebox Christmas 2023 | November 10 dropoff deadline
    Last call for Shoebox Christmas gifts! Spirit Lake Ministry Center coordinates Shoebox Christmas gifts to over 6,000 children across the reservations of North Dakota, South Dakota and into Minnesota. Learn more about Shoebox Christmas gifts and the dropoff locations. 

DAKYouth 2023 | Nov. 10-12
    DAKYOUTH happens this week! Youth will gather at https://www.aberdeen.sd.us/146/Aberdeen-Recreation-Cultural-Center  from all around the conference to learn about leadership, discipleship, and service. This year the DAKYOUTH theme  is**“Good vs. Evil.”** The scripture focus is Isaiah 5:20. Get the details and register.

COMING UP

UM Student Day | November 26
    100% of your UM Student Day donation goes to scholarships for students.Every year, GBHEM awards an average of $5.5 million in financial aid to United Methodist students. Access resources for Student Day on November 26.

SOP countdown to Giving Tuesday
    Countdown–4, 3, 2, 1! #Giving Tuesday is November 28. For the next three weeks, Solar Oven Partners (SOP) will be sharing a trivia question about sharing the gift of solar cooking to improve the lives of families in the Dominican Republic and Sierra Leone. But there are others we want to reach with the power of the sun! Trivia Question #2: SOP is also working to develop a program to bring solar cooking to a specific part of the U.S., hoping to serve people who still lack access to electricity or natural gas. What ministry is SOP working with and why? Click here to check your answer.

Advent Study | Heaven and Earth
    Bishop Lanette Plambeck is leading an Advent Study, Heaven and Earth: Advent and the Incarnation, by Will Willimon. Join the four week study on Tuesdays, beginning  November 28, at 7:30-8:15 p.m.  central time, on Zoom. Get the details here.

Fresh Expressions Activate Day | Dec. 2
    Fresh Expressions Activate Day is Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., online. Continue the momentum from Imagine Day at Activate Day. Each team will gather locally and begin the practical steps of cultivating a new Christian community. Attend even if you didn't make it to Imagine Day. Register today.

A Very Dakotas Christmas 2023 | Heaven and Nature Sing available Dec. 11
    Bishop Lanette Plambeck and the Dakotas Conference Cabinet present this gift of worship to you, "A Very Dakotas Christmas 2023." We celebrate the birth of the Christ-child with clergy, families, and scenes from United Methodists across the Dakotas Conference. The online service and resources will be available Dec. 11. Learn more.

Clergy Epiphany Gathering | Jan. 7-9
    Clergy save the date for the 2024 Epiphany Gathering on January 7-9, 2024. Join Jill and Michael Beck at the Dakotas Event Center in Aberdeen, South Dakota. It will be a Mardi Gras themed festival. A chance to celebrate being together as United Methodist clergy. We will gather with Bishop Lanette and the Dakotas Conference Cabinet on Sunday evening and end our time by noon on Tuesday.

Dynamite Prayer | Jan. 14-Feb. 10
    Ready to see what God can do when we come together in prayer and ask God’s Spirit to unleash in us? Begin 2024 by joining a breakthrough prayer movement across the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area! Join us from Jan. 14-Feb. 10 for our area-wide Dynamite Prayer initiative. Get the details.

SPRC Training | Feb. 22
    If you have new members in your Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), or have recently received a new pastor, or haven't been through a training in a while, join an online (Zoom) training on February 22, at 6:30-8:30 p.m.

RESOURCES

Builders Club | Hettinger UMC
    We are so grateful for your continued support of the Builders Club and ask that you prayerfully consider a gift to support Hettinger UMC. They need to repair their roof over the Sunday School rooms.The gifts for this call will be received until December 31, 2023. Get the details.

Connect with UM Communications | My Portal
    My Portal offers an easy way to ensure you're receiving the most helpful information from United Methodist Communications. Church leaders, staff, volunteers, members, and those seeking to know more about The United Methodist Church can update contact information, roles, interests, subscriptions, and more. Don't worry – we are dedicated to security. We'll never share, trade, or sell your information. Get started today!

Vanco online giving | Promotion for new accounts
    Anyone who signs up for a new account with Vanco in the month of November, will receive free processing (no fees!) for the month of January. Any churches who qualify for Select Pricing on top of this promotion, will save UMC churches an average of $815 per year. Get the details or contact Vanco.

GRANTS    

Hunger Grants | Apply by November 30
    Dakotas Conference Hunger Grants are meant to address hunger in your local communities through hunger programs. Grants up to $1,000 are being awarded to United Methodist Churches or United Methodist related organizations (can include church partnerships with local food ministries). Applications must be submitted by November 30, 2023 to be considered for a grant. Learn more.

Financial Ministry Grant |  Growing generous giver
    If you want to learn more about growing generous givers, starting a study such as Saving Grace, or providing a growth opportunity for key leaders, consider applying for a Financial Ministry Grant of up to $500 to fund your effort. Whatever your method for improving your church's financial health and embedding the value of generosity into your church culture, some financial support can jumpstart your efforts!  Apply for the Financial Ministry Grant using a simple application found here.

In Our Hearts

In our hearts | Jone Barnick
    Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Jone Barnick. Jone is the mother of Rev. Raenelle Sorensen, Dakotas Conference retired licensed pastor serving Larimore and Arvilla, in North Dakota. View a full obituary.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads

Jobs Available
    We're hiring! Take a look at the job announcements across the Dakotas Conference. Get the details on jobs available at these Conference churches and organizations.

Discipleship Ministries Coordinator | Evergreen UMC
    Evergreen UMC in Wahpeton, N.D., is hiring a Discipleship Ministries Coordinator. Evergreen UMC is looking for a high energy, enthusiastic individual who loves engaging with children, youth and young adults and also is super crazy about Jesus!! Please contact Pastor Kori Lehrkamp or the church office for more information.